SLC Coaching Staff urged to step down

By Bipin Dani

Minister of Sports Harin Fernando yesterday urged the entire coaching staff of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to step down after the home series against Bangladesh.

The Minister in a letter to the SLC urged the present coaching staff to step down and re-negotiate the fresh contracts after the three-match ODI Series against Bangladesh which begins on July 26 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.    

Sri Lanka failed to secure a semi-final spot and were placed sixth having recorded only three wins at the recent ICC Cricket World Cup held in England and Wales.  

Meanwhile, SLC is believed to have interviewed few former cricketers in their attempt to appoint a new coach for their senior team. 

According to highly placed sources, few more interviews are lined-up in the coming weeks. 

The three ODIs’ against Bangladesh will be over on July 31 and therefore, the new coaching staff will take over for the home series against New Zealand. “Chandika Hathurusingha is likely to be out as the Head Coach before his contract expires. The authorities have sought legal opinion on this and the settlement formula may be worked out once he does not fit in any other coaching role,” another source said yesterday.